Meet Shelley Barr with KSLQ 104.5 FM...​Tell us about yourself.Tell you about me... hmmm, that is a toughie. There are so many layers ​and if you talk to me for more than 5 minutes, you know that I haven't grown up yet. ​ Haha! I am a proud St. Louis native with the exception of when I attended school in Springfield and at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma ​C​ity. I have a degree in advanced electronics and certified air safety for the Federal Government.

Tell us about your organization.KSLQ radio 104.5 FM is a lovely station to work for and to listen to. We try to put out positive vibes.​Our format is Hot A/C (Adult/Contemporary) and we play songs from the 80's, 90's and 2000's. People that listen to us are aged 19-64, but our core demographic is Women, 25 to 49. You know, the decision makers. Why? Wait for it... because the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

What is the mission/vision of your organization?​Brad Hildebrand is the owner of KSLQ 104.5 FM and KRAP AM 1350 (soon to be on FM). Brad fosters a work environment that is simple, yet sets the pace for the Organization with a Vision and a Mission Statement that work in Synergy with each other.

Our Vision: Have a goal, meet the goal, have fun... and that is what we do. We do so by embracing and operating on the MADE principal, we strive to Make a Difference every day. Why do I have the best job ever you ask? Because I am part of something much bigger than myself. I get to touch lives, see their businesses grow and thrive, and I get to ride in the wake of the ripples that my Boss, Brad Hildebrand, starts every single day. Yep, Best. Job. EVER.

What do you do to serve your clients best?KSLQ strives to support our clients in the most forward thinking way imaginable. If there is a new concept, we will embrace it and pass it along. For example, our Net Centric Media approach, which is really being embraced by our customers. In the radio aspect of our biz, we like to offer another level of connection between our clients and their future customers. We like our clients to record and have their own voice on the air. I like to call it the "Ice Ice Baby" experience. We stop, collaborate and listen, and you rock the mic like a vandal. Then selfies are taken in the studio. Of course! It’s just a lovely moment to collect for our customers and it seems to really make a difference. We can also record on location if that is easier for them. Whatever it takes to make the experience a good one. ​Oh, did I mention that we are freakishly affordable?!

What are you most looking forward to in the next 5 years for the company?There are some amazing things happening at KSLQ. We are taking our business to the next level by taking other businesses to the next level. We are more than just a radio station, we promote businesses on the air and in the cloud. We have implemented a NetCentric Media approach that incorporates a multimedia platform utilizing video, social media, SEO and electronic media (radio). Under our parent company, we also have an AM station (KRAP) that we are bringing to the FM dial. What that means is that we will have 2 FM stations with 2 very distinct target audiences. KSLQ who's core demographic is women 25 to 49, and KRAP an all talk Sports station (Sports KRAP) which caters to men. KRAP is a CBS sports affiliate and broadcasts the Kansas City Chiefs, the STL Blues, and in the fall, the Football and Basketball games of the Mizzou Tigers. I also envision that we ​will ​be bringing several HD Channels to the forefront as well. Like I said, very exciting stuff.

Why would you recommend the O’Fallon Chamber?​When I went to my first Chamber Leads Group, I was scared to pieces. I had been out of the networking circuit for quite a while and didn't know what to expect. I was greeted by the lovely Nina DeAngelo the facilitator of the Leads Groups. She made me feel welcomed and completely put my mind and nerves at ease. That was 3 years ago and I don't regret making that first step into the door. Since then, I have found that the O'Fallon Chamber of Commerce and Industries fosters an environment that is welcoming for every type of person and business. The Chamber Staff work extremely hard for each of the Members and when you need something, they are there to help, every step of the way. ​From the Board of Directors to the Ambassadors, you get a feeling of inclusion when you walk into an event. I am proud to say, that what many started out as business relationships have blossomed into friendships. I love MY Chamber!

​These O’Fallon Chamber members and/or O’Fallon businesses celebrated opening their doors with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce & Industries and the City of O’Fallon.

June 17, 2016Chic Lumber2625 E Terra LnO'Fallon, MO 63366636-441-4200​The O'Fallon Chamber of Commerce & Industries is committed to promoting the economic vitality of O’Fallon and the St. Charles County Region by engaging its members in networking and educational opportunities, while advocating for pro-business public policy.

Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is pleased to announce that Erin Williams, IOM, President/CEO, of the O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce & Industries, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Awarded to all graduates of the Institute program, the IOM Graduate Recognition signifies the individual’s completion of 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management. In addition, participants can earn credit hours toward the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified Association Executive (CAE) certifications. Nearly 1,000 individuals attend Institute annually.

“Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s vice president of Institute for Organization Management. “These individuals have the knowledge, skills, and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.”

Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber, and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. Institute’s curriculum consists of four weeklong sessions at five different university locations throughout the country. Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance, and membership, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively.

Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. It is the premier nonprofit professional development program for association and chamber professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness. We educate the public on the conditions necessary for business and communities to thrive, how business positively impacts communities, and emerging issues and creative solutions that will shape the future.

​This has definitely been a whirlwind month for the O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce & Industries. Not only were we, as the staff says, Firecracker Crazy, but we have been honored as a finalist in the ACCE Chamber of the Year competition.Before we get into the recognition, I’d like to recognize the committee and volunteers that once again made the 32nd Annual Firecracker Run a great success. These folks worked for the past six months on everything from securing food donations, creating race routes, gathering volunteers, and making sure that we had a large turnout of runners. Six months of work is one thing, but to top that off the committee joined the other 100 volunteers that showed up at 5:00 a.m. on the 4th of July to create an event that was fun, safe, well-organized, and profitable for the Chamber. Many times we celebrate the event, but fail to mention why these events are so important. The funds that we raise through events like this help to keep our dues low. Each year it seems like the services offered at the Chamber are more and more, but our investment stays the same. So, on behalf of the membership of the Chamber, thank you to all of the volunteers and committee that put on another successful event!Next, WOW! Congratulations to each of you for being a part of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Chamber of the Year competition. Our O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce & Industries has been able to do some awesome things, and that has only been possible by the engagement and support of each of our members. There are several things that make our organization great. First, you, our membership. Each of you are a part of this success. Whether you are the person involved in every committee, the person making sure that you are welcoming a new member, the person who generously sponsors year after year, or the person who shares new ideas to make our organization great, our membership has created an electric organization all working together to help each other and our community thrive. To the Ambassadors and Board of Directors who meet, call, research, welcome, report, encourage, and do all of those “other duties as assigned”, congratulations. Finally, to the staff of our great organization, who really gets the “other duties” your hard work is being recognized on a national level and we are extremely proud. The membership of the O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce & Industries’ is grateful to have each of you working endlessly to create and support this culture of excellence.While we won’t find out until August 10th who the official ACCE Chamber of the Year is, I congratulate each of you on the esteemed honor of making it to the finals!Until next month,Mark Crank2016 Chairman of the Board